Investments in Marketable Securities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

INVESTMENTS IN MARKETABLE SECURITIES [Abstract]

Marketable Securities [Text Block]

5. Investments in Marketable Securities

Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value with the unrealized holding gains or losses, net of tax, included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity. Realized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are computed based upon specific identification and included in other income (expense), net in the consolidated statement of operations.  Declines in value judged to be other than-temporary on available-for-sale securities are recorded as realized in other income (expense), net in the consolidated statement of operations and the cost basis of the security is reduced. The fair values for marketable equity securities are based on quoted market prices.  Held-to-maturity investments are stated at amortized cost which approximates fair value.  Interest income is accrued as earned.  Realized gains and losses on held-to-maturity investments are computed based upon specific identification and included in interest income, net in the consolidated statement of operations.  The Company does not have any investments classified as trading.

Available-for-sale securities consist of assets in a rabbi trust associated with the Company’s deferred compensation plan.  At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the carrying value of available-for-sale securities was approximately $127,000 and $147,000, respectively, which are included in short-term investments.  The available-for-sale securities at December 31, 2011 and 2010 consisted of approximately $62,000 and $76,000, respectively, in money market accounts, and approximately $65,000 and $71,000, respectively, in mutual funds.  At December 31, 2011, accumulated other comprehensive income included gross unrealized holding gains of approximately $12,000 and no gross unrealized holding losses.  At December 31, 2010, accumulated other comprehensive income included approximately $10,000 gross unrealized holding gains and no gross unrealized holding losses.  During the year ended December 31, 2011, other income, net included no gross realized losses orrealized gains.

The Company’s other marketable securities consist of investment grade debt instruments such as obligations of U.S. Treasury and U.S. Federal Government agencies and are maintained in separate accounts to support the Company’s letters-of-credit.  These investments are categorized as held-to-maturity because the Company’s management has the intent and ability to hold these securities to maturity.  The Company had standby letters-of-credit of approximately $3.1 million and $5.4 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, as collateral for its existing insurance policies and facility leases.

At December 31, 2011 and 2010, held-to-maturity investments included:

			Maturing						Maturing
	December 31, 2011		within 1 year		after 1 year through 3 years		December 31, 2010		within 1 year		after 1 year through 3 years
Cash/money market funds	$	111	$	111	$	—	$	80	$	80	$	—
US Treasury securities	4,293		1,323		2,970		4,093		—		4,093
Government agency securities	871		—		871		1,181		—		1,181
Total	$	5,275	$	1,434	$	3,841	$	5,354	$	80	$	5,274

At December 31, 2011and December 31, 2010, held-to-maturity investments were recorded in the following accounts: 

	December 31, 2011		December 31, 2010
Other current assets	$	1,434	$	80
Other long-term assets	3,841		5,274
Total	$	5,275	$	5,354